Description of several temples of Kerala which are the mini editions of deep devotion
P.R.Ramachander

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Legend of Mazhoor Sri Balarama Temple (Dharmi Kulangara temple)

Legend of Mazhoor Sri Balarama Temple (Dharmi Kulangara temple)

By

Ravi Kumar Ambadi

Balarama, the elder brother of Sri Krishna is regarded as an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Out of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, only
the Sri Krishna incarnation is the complete one, while the rests are partial
ones (Amsha Avatharas). Some others believe him to be the manifestation of
Serpentine Anantha (Anatha Naga) who is quite identified with Lord Vishnu.
However, there are a few temples dedicated to him and there are very few
devotees worship him. One such temple is there in the Kannur District of Kerala
which is located about eight kilometers from Thrichambaram Sri Krishna Temple. (Near Thaliparamba
town) This temple is also called Dharmi Kulangara Balarama temple .Three more temples dedicated
to Balarama are there in Kerala
located in Aluva ,Nenmini
and Aranmula.

Balarama is the first
peasant king in our world. He was a king who was very particular about the
prosperous of his country and its subjects. At a time, when Vrindavan hit with
severe draught, he requested River Kalindi to change her path and provide water
to the farmers of Vrindavan, but she did not listen to his words. Furious
Balarama, digged the sides of the river with his mighty plough and took the
river water to the Vrindavan. Although he has been depicted as a savior of
peasants in the epics, it is quite astonishing that there are very few devotees
for him in a country which mainly depends on agriculture for revenue.

Anyway, now let us talk about Mazhoor Sri Balarama Temple. You
might have read legend behind Thrichambaram Sri Krishna Temple, which has been
published in this blog. We have mentioned there that Sage Narada presented two
idols, one of Sri Krishna and other is of Balarama for that temple. That idol
of Balarama has been brought here and consecrated in this temple.

Puthukkudi Perumthatta Illam was one of the prominent families in
that area who had several rights on Thrichambaram Sri Krishna Temple. Once, a
person was there in that family who was an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna.
He used to visit Thrichambaram Temple daily to worship god. As the time passed
he became old and weak. He could not go such a long distance by walk. The fact
that he had to stop his temple visit made him sad and depressed. He prayed to
god for a solution.

One night in his dream, Lord Sri Krishna came and told him that
the next day morning he could see the calf with the name Dharmi near his house.
The place where she put cow dung should be dug and there he will get a
Salagramam (a holy stone which is believed to have divine powers). Further, Sri
Krishna insisted him to dig a pond at that place and keep the salagramam inside
it. He asked the devotee to consecrate an idol of his elder brother near the
pond and start worshipping.

The very next day, the man saw the calf Dharmi near his house and
followed the instructions of Lord Krishna. He took out the Salagrama first and
then dug a pond there and kept the holy rock inside it. Then he brought the
idol of Balarama from Thrichambaram Temple, which has been presented by Sage
Narada and consecrated near the pond after constructing a temple.

In the beginning we told you the story of Balarama, changing the
route of Kalindi. That is told in Maha Bhagavatham. Almost similar incident
happened at Mazhoor also. Once, Mazhoor experienced severe draught as
experienced by the people at Vrindavan. There was no rain and the crops have
been destroyed due to the lack of proper watering. Entire village suffered a
lot due to this. Then head of the Puthukudi Perumthtta Illam family got touched
with the miseries of his fellow villagers. He went to the Balarama Temple and
shouted at the deity.

Can’t you see people suffering from drought? Why are you holding
the plough in your hands? That is a weapon for farming and not a decorative
piece. If you cannot help us, then what is the point in calling you the Peasant
King?

Once the shouting is over, the man got repented. He thought that
he did a wrong thing by calling the lord with such words. Then he consoled
himself that the lord can understand his agony and will forgive him. Yes, the
Lord Balarama not only forgave the devotee, but blessed him too with lot of
showers. The very same night Mazhoor experienced heavy rain.

Balarama of this temple visits Thrichammaresan temple near by and the brothers have a walk together and this is called Pookothu Nada during an annual festival held in
month of march,..A very unique
dance called THidambu nrutham is held
at that time (see write up of
Trichamaresan temple) , The address and telephone number of the temple is